2. Behavioral Health Workforce Planning Activities Across the States Anne M. Herron, Director Division of Regional and National Policy Workforce Strategic Initiative

3. SAMHSA Strategic Initiative #6: Workforce Development 3 GOALS: Develop and disseminate workforce training and education tools and core competencies to address behavioral health issues. Develop and support deployment of peer providers in all public health and health care delivery settings. Develop consistent data collection methods to identify and track behavioral health workforce needs. Influence and support funding for the behavioral health workforce.

4. States: Workforce Discussion Regional Administrator - State Discussions Between March and May, 2015 – SAMHSA Regional Administrators held structured discussions with states to gather information about their behavioral health workforce planning efforts. State authorities identified participants in leadership roles – state officials/staff, health department staff, government advisory councils, provider representatives, educators, and others. Data was collected from each state regarding workforce plans and future needs. 4

5. States: Workforce Discussion Regional Administrator - State Discussions The goal was to identify trends and similar issues, such as; areas of need, effective initiatives, and strategies that can be shared state to state, and region to region. Each Regional Administrator is establishing a learning community in the region, with an agenda set by the states and informed by the discussion. 5

6. States: Workforce Discussion Findings The Behavioral Health Workforce Defined The workforce definition has broadened to include delivery of services across the full recovery model and is inclusive of peer and prevention services that cross all age groups children to senior population. In many states, anyone who interacts with a recovering person to provide services is considered part of the continuum, and primary care providers are an integral player in the field. 6

7. States: Workforce Discussion Findings Behavioral Health Workforce Issues -Leadership in the States in: State Departments of Health Care Services State Departments of Administrative Services State Departments of Health Governor’s Office Departments of Economic Development Departments of Employment & Higher Education Multi-partnered Behavioral Health Workgroups 7

8. States: Workforce Discussion Findings A Behavioral Health Workforce Plan States indicate the need for a workforce plan Of the states who responded, 20% have a workforce plan in place, while 80% do not. There is no consistent approach to this planning effort, but most states recognize the importance of planning. In several states, this has been crafted as a Behavioral Health Pipeline Plan, to show path from trainee to provider. 8

9. States: Workforce Discussion Findings Using Data to Support Planning: There is a need to have improved behavioral health workforce data so that states can engage in meaningful planning efforts to develop a workforce that is sufficient for their needs. States have are widely variant in the data they have and use for planning. License and credentialing data are good sources for tracking providers, but do not tell the real story of who is currently providing services. 9

10. States: Data as a Tool for Planning Information on certified professionals across the state including their location and provider type, including Medicaid ID numbers by professional Licensing Boards Department of Labor Data at state levels Social Science Research Center data Clinician Roster Information System (CRIS), a web- based system designed to track the credentials of clinical staff

11. States: Workforce Challenges Provider Availability Most states do not have enough providers to meet the needs of the expanded eligible population. Problem is particularly acute in rural or remote areas Providers are being lost to better (higher paying) opportunities, particularly with the Veterans Administration There is a significant gap between the numbers of peers ready and credentialed to work, and the jobs available to them. Need to increase acceptance of peers in the workplace. 11

12. States: Workforce Challenges Lack of Academia Universities serve as an “anchor” for the community – lack is a barrier for recruitment and retention. Continuing Education Need to train on emerging best practices and leadership. Technology Need a technology-savvy workforce, particularly where the population is rural as this is where most of the unmet needs are. 12

13. States: Workforce Best Practices Peers in the Workforce States recognize the importance of peers and are using them in as many domains as possible; correctional, primary care, vocational, pre-release, crisis, and housing. Peers are used as navigators and bridges for consumers making transitions. Training and certification is increasing in most states for peer specialties. 13

14. States: Workforce Best Practices Tele-health Investments for Provider access Outside of State Borders. Improved access to specialty services Traditional face-to-face visits using video Mobile applications using smartphones and providing education, interventions, GPS alerts, on-demand advice States identified particular effectiveness with youth, including: outreach, services on-demand, texting supports. 14

15. States: Workforce Best Practices CEUs/Training Distance Learning: Range from self-directed courses and curricula to interactive Webinars to mental/substance use disorder specific ECHO sites. Offered by a range of TA providers, professional organizations, community colleges and universities. Most providers are familiar with and accept use of technology. 15

16. States: Identified Opportunities States – Working on Strategies to Address: Reimbursement Cross-state licensure/certification Improved outcomes through mentoring Partnerships with universities, private providers, professional organization, and others Sharing training resources between states for improved outcomes. 16

17. Engaging Key Influencers Successful Collaboration started with: Pre service organizations (i.e. HOSA) Recovery High Schools/Colleges COPE/AAAMC Professional Organizations Inclusion of BH in NHSC, Nurse Corps, loan repayment Philanthropic Organizations Private sector service delivery, insurers 17

18. Moving Forward SAMHSA looks forward to continued dialogue to facilitate sharing strategies Invitations out now to invite participation in your Regional Workforce Learning Community 18